Kiper’s early draft board (way) high on Manziel, Matthews

Mel Kiper Jr. believes Johnny Manziel will be taking his talents to the Texans in May. (John Bazemore/Associated Press)

COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M has never had a No. 1 overall selection in the NFL draft. The Aggies have had a handful of No. 2s, including offensive tackle Luke Joeckel just a year ago. Incredibly, veteran ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper has A&M with both selections in the same year.

Kiper on Wednesday released his first mock draft in anticipation of the May 8-10 festivities, and in it he has quarterback Johnny Manziel going first (to the Texans) and offensive tackle Jake Matthews second (to the Rams). A year ago Joeckel of the Jacksonville Jaguars matched linebackers Von Miller (Denver in 2011) and Quentin Coryatt (Indianapolis in 1992) and running backs John David Crow (St. Louis in 1958) and John Kimbrough (Chicago Cardinals in 1941) as the draft’s No. 2 selection.

Manziel won the 2012 Heisman Trophy and chose to bypass on his final two seasons of eligibility after leading the Aggies to a 9-4 finish in 2013. Matthews, son of NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, likely would have been a late first round selection a year ago, but upped his stock by sticking around for his senior season. Both Manziel and Matthews were recruited to A&M under the Mike Sherman (2008-11) regime.